System and method for beacon based navigation to offer based transactions and beacon based digital transactions with multiple layer authentication

ABSTRACT

A system and method of interaction with beacons to execute a multiple layer authenticated transaction process including receiving a signal from the beacon, analyzing a relative signal strength of the beacon, enabling a portable computer device to complete the digital transaction based on the proximity of the portable computer device to an item for purchase. A first user verification input is additionally received via the portable computer system. In response to the first user verification, receiving a verification signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. nonprovisionalapplication Ser. No. 14/985,313, filed on Dec. 30, 2015, which is anonprovisional application of provisional applications, Ser. Nos.62/099,008 and 62/099,023, both filed on Dec. 31, 2014. In addition, thepresent application is related to a counterpart PCT application, serialnumber PCT/US15/68201, filed on Dec. 30, 2015, claiming priority to theabove provisional applications. These referenced applications'disclosures are incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Digital transaction security is of increasing importance as digitaltransactions have become ubiquitous. Physical payment devices, such ascredit cards, provide a layer of security by requiring the presence of acard to complete the transaction but require additional hardware such ascheckout devices that may additionally require staff assistance providedby the merchant. Merchant based point of sale transactions are furtherlimited due to additional staffing needs and physical limitations of theplacement of checkout lanes within a store. Conventional card presenttransactions are further limited in providing biometric means ofauthentication. Digital transactions associated with customer accountsrepresented by credit cards do not incorporate a physical presencerequirement. Conventional means of completing a card present and digitaltransactions transaction further fail to create a seamless customerexperience that integrates the shopping experience, advertisement,offers, and purchase in a single system that the customer can accessand/or manage on his own portable computer system along with multiplelayer authentication.

Also, when customers enter a store, they may use store directoriesphysically posted on throughout various locations within the stores.However, static store directories may require the customer to locate thedirectory itself and may provide only limited assistance based onvisibility limitations. Further drawbacks of conventional mappingsystems are based on the use of cellular networks. The structure of abuilding itself may interrupt or render continuous cellular or wirelessservice unusable or unreliable.

As such, customers may be initially drawn to a store from consultingmailers, email advertisements or other offers that have providedincentives for the customer to visit a store. Offers and emailedincentives provided to customers through text, email or printed mailprovide customers with little interaction with the shopping experience.A customer may have difficulty remembering whether items are on saleonce entering the store based on advertisements and offers that werereceived previously through the mail.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention disclose a system and a method whichinteracts with electronic beacons to execute a multiple layerauthenticated transaction review process comprising a processor forexecuting computer executable instructions, a memory to store thecomputer executable instructions, and an input output circuit to receivesignals from an electronic beacon. The computer executable instructionsmay comprise instructions for receiving via the input output circuit asignal from the electronic beacon, analyzing via the processor arelative strength of the signal from the electronic beacon in responseto the signal strength being determined by the processor to be over afirst threshold, identifying via the processor the portable computersystem as being within a far range of the beacon, and displaying via thebeacon a welcome message to be displayed on a display screen of theportable computer system. The method may further include, in response tothe signal strength being determined by the processor to be over asecond threshold, identifying via the processor that the portablecomputer system has moved within a near zone of the beacon anddisplaying an offer to be displayed on the display screen of theportable computer system. In response to the signal strength beingdetermined by the processor to be over a third threshold, the method mayinclude identifying that the portable computer system has moved withinan immediate zone of the beacon. The method may also include displayingan option to complete a digital transaction based on the proximity ofthe portable computer system to an item for purchase and enabling theportable computer system to complete the digital transaction based onthe proximity of the portable computer system to an item for purchase.The method may still yet further include receiving a first userverification input via the portable computer system, communicating thefirst user verification input to a verification system via the inputoutput circuit and in response to the first user verification inputbeing approved by the verification system, receiving a verificationsignal.

According to another embodiment, aspects of the invention includes asystem and a method to interact with electronic beacons to execute atransaction process comprising a processor for executing computerexecutable instructions, a memory to store the computer executableinstructions, an input output circuit to receive signals from anelectronic beacon and to announce the portable computing device. Thecomputer executable instructions comprise instructions for identifying alocation of a portable computing device within a boundary of electronicbeacons using the processor to determine signal strength of the variouselectronic beacons and displaying, via the input output circuit, one ormore offers wherein the offer are related to the location of theportable computing device to the plurality of beacons. The system andmethod further disclose updating directions based on the nearestelectronic beacon as the nearest electronic beacon changes and inresponse to the nearest electronic beacon for the selected destinationbeing the nearest electronic beacon to the portable computing system,displaying on the portable computing system, an opportunity to purchasethe item via the portable computing system.

In one embodiment, a system for configuring a multi-layered verificationsystem for completing a transaction includes a beacon emitting devicefor transmitting beacons on a time interval. The beacons may includecontents with varying messages as a function of signal strengths of thebeacons. The signal strengths may indicate zones in a defined spacecovered by the beacons. A portable computer device includes aninput/output circuit for sensing the beacons to identify the signalstrengths thereof, a device processor, and an interface. The deviceprocessor may determine the signal strengths in the sensed beacons beingover a second threshold. In response to the determination beingpositive, the device processor may provide via the interface a first ofthe varying messages corresponding to the second threshold in the sensedbeacons. The system also includes that, in response to providing thefirst of the varying messages, the portable computer device, after beingrepositioned to sense the beacons, may determine the signal strengths tobe over a third threshold. In response to the determination beingpositive, the device processor may provide via the interface a second ofthe varying messages corresponding to the third threshold. The beaconemitting device may receive a receipt from the portable computer devicefor receiving the second of the varying messages. The system furtherincludes a transaction approval server, being configured to communicatewith the beacon emitting device, may establish a verification system toprocess digital transactions in response to receiving the receipt. Thetransaction approval server may identify the receipt as a first layer ofthe verification system. The portable computer device may receive aninstruction from a user via the interface to complete one of the digitaltransactions of an item. The transaction approval server, in response toreceiving the instruction, may identify the instruction as a secondlayer of the verification system. In response to the identifiedinstruction, the transaction approval server may approve the secondlayer of the verification system. The transaction approval server maytransmit an acknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device forthe one of the digital transactions of the item.

In accordance with another embodiment, a computerized method forconfiguring a multi-layered verification system for completing atransaction, said computerized method comprising:

-   -   establishes, by a beacon server being configured to communicate        with a beacon emitting device, a verification system to process        digital transactions;    -   receiving from the beacon emitting device a receipt in response        to a first user instruction provided on a portable computer        device responding to messages provided as a function of signal        strengths of beacons from the beacon emitting device, wherein        the beacon emitting device transmits the beacons on a time        interval, said beacons including contents with varying messages        as a function of signal strengths thereof, wherein the beacon        server identifies the receipt as a first layer of the        verification system;    -   receiving, by the beacon server, a second user instruction from        the portable computer device to complete one of the digital        transactions of an item;    -   identifying, in response to receiving the second user        instruction, by the beacon server, identifies the instruction as        a second layer of the verification system;    -   approving, by the beacon server, the second layer of the        verification system; and    -   transmitting from the beacon server an acknowledgement receipt        to the portable computer device for completing the one of the        digital transactions of the item.

In another embodiment, a system is configured to complete a transactionwith a beacon-assisted navigation. The system includes a beacon emittingdevice for transmitting beacons on a time interval. A portable computerdevice includes an input/output circuit for sensing the beacons toidentify the signal strengths thereof,

-   -   a device processor and an interface. The device processor        determines the signal strengths in the sensed beacons being over        a second threshold. In response to the determination being        positive, the device processor identifies the varying messages        corresponding to the second threshold in the sensed beacons. The        device processor also identifies from an additional source        recommending items of interests for a user to consider in the        defined space. The system further includes that the device        processor analyzes the identified items of interests and the        identified varying messages. In response to analyzing, the        device processor provides a first of the varying messages via        the interface with the first of the varying messages including        an offer to purchase an item. The portable computer device,        after being repositioned to sense the beacons, further        determines the signal strengths to be over a third threshold.        The device processor provides via the interface a second of the        varying messages corresponding to the third threshold. The        system further includes a beacon or a transaction approval        server, being configured to communicate with the beacon emitting        device, to receive a receipt from the beacon emitting device. In        response to providing the second of the varying messages, the        portable computer device receives an instruction from a user via        the interface to complete one of the digital transactions of the        item. The transaction approval server approves the one of the        digital transactions after receiving the instruction from the        user. The transaction approval server, being configured to        communicate with the portable computer device, transmits an        acknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device for the        one of the digital transactions of the item.

In accordance with another embodiment, a computerized method forconfiguring a multi-layered verification system for completing atransaction, said computerized method comprising:

-   -   establishes, by a beacon server being configured to communicate        with a beacon emitting device, a verification system to process        digital transactions;    -   receiving from the beacon emitting device a receipt in response        to a first user instruction provided on a portable computer        device responding to messages provided as a function of signal        strengths of beacons from the beacon emitting device, wherein        the beacon emitting device transmits the beacons on a time        interval, said beacons including contents with varying messages        as a function of signal strengths thereof, wherein the beacon        server identifies the receipt as a first layer of the        verification system;    -   receiving, by the beacon server, an additional source        recommending items of interests for a user to consider in the        defined space;    -   receiving, by the beacon server, a second user instruction from        the portable computer device to complete one of the digital        transactions of an item, said item being provided in response to        the additional source and as a function of messages from the        beacon emitting devices;    -   identifying, in response to receiving the second user        instruction, by the beacon server, identifies the instruction as        a second layer of the verification system;    -   approving, by the beacon server, the second layer of the        verification system; and    -   transmitting from the beacon server an acknowledgement receipt        to the portable computer device for completing the one of the        digital transactions of the item.

In a further embodiment, a system is configured a multi-layeredverification system for completing a transaction. The system includes abeacon emitting device for transmitting beacons on a time interval. Thebeacons include contents with varying messages as a function of signalstrengths of the beacons, and the signal strengths indicating zones in adefined space covered by the beacons. A portable computer device sensesthe beacons to identify the signal strengths thereof and determines thesignal strengths in the sensed beacons being over a second threshold. Inresponse to the determination being positive, the portable computerdevice identifies the varying messages corresponding to the secondthreshold in the sensed beacons. The portable computer device furtheridentifies from an additional source recommending items of interests fora user to consider in the defined space. The portable computer devicefurther compares the identified items of interests and the identifiedvarying messages. In response to comparing, the portable computer deviceprovides a first of the varying messages. The first of the varyingmessages includes an offer to purchase an item. The system further, inresponse to providing the first of the varying messages, the portablecomputer device, after being repositioned to sense the beacons,determines the signal strengths to be over a third threshold. Inresponse to the determination being positive, the portable computerdevice provides a second of the varying messages corresponding to thethird threshold, and the second of the varying messages is an invitationto complete one of the digital transactions of the item. The beaconemitting device receives a receipt from the portable computer device forreceiving the second of the varying messages. A transaction approvalserver, being configured to communicate with the beacon emitting device,establishes a verification system to process digital transactions inresponse to receiving the receipt. The transaction approval serveridentifies the receipt as a first layer of the verification system. Theportable computer device receives an instruction from a user to completeone of the digital transactions of the item, and the transactionapproval server, in response to receiving the instruction, identifiesthe instruction as a second layer of the verification system. Thetransaction approval server may approve the second layer of theverification system. The transaction approval server transmits anacknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device for the digitaltransaction of the item.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a computerized method forconfiguring a multi-layered verification system for completing atransaction, said computerized method comprising:

-   -   establishes, by a transaction approval server being configured        to communicate with a beacon emitting device, a verification        system to process digital transactions;    -   receiving from the beacon emitting device a receipt in response        to a first user instruction provided on a portable computer        device responding to messages provided as a function of signal        strengths of beacons from the beacon emitting device, wherein        the beacon emitting device transmits the beacons on a time        interval, said beacons including contents with varying messages        as a function of signal strengths thereof, wherein the beacon        server identifies the receipt as a first layer of the        verification system;    -   receiving, by transaction approval server, from the portable        computer device, an additional source recommending items of        interests or presence of the portable computer device;    -   receiving, by the transaction approval server, a second user        instruction from the portable computer device to complete one of        the digital transactions of an item, said item being provided as        a function of messages from the beacon emitting devices and the        recommended items of interests;    -   identifying, in response to receiving the second user        instruction, by the transaction approval server, identifies the        instruction as a second layer of the verification system;    -   approving, by the transaction approval server, the second layer        of the verification system; and    -   transmitting from the transaction approval server an        acknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device for        completing the one of the digital transactions of the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with the subjecttechnology according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary system for the beacon baseddigital payments on a smartphone device in accordance with an embodimentof the subject technology.

FIG. 3 is flow diagram of a method in accordance with the subjecttechnology according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a sample computing environment physicallyconfigured to execute the embodiments of the method according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another sample computing environmentphysically configured to execute the embodiments of the method accordingto one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a portable computer device which isphysically configure according to the embodiments of the method.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a server type computing device which isphysically configure according to the embodiments of the method.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with the subjecttechnology according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary system for the navigation ofconsumers through sequential events toward digital payment offersaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10A is an illustration of an exemplary system using major and minorpairs to guide customers to digital payment transactions and eventcheck-ins according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10B-10H are illustrations of a sample graphical user interface ofthe subject technology according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary system capable of sending acheck-in notification according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Using wireless personal area network technology (such as beacontechnology like Bluetooth Low Energy) or short-range wirelesscommunication protocol, the subject technology provides threshold basedmessages and offers, ultimately providing a way for customers to conductmulti-layered authenticated transactions to cardholding customers with aportable computing device (such as a smartphone or tablet). The messagesand offers may include proximity notifications letting the consumer knowthat he is within a far, near, and immediate range that is ultimateassociated with a universally unique identifier (UUID) (identifierdistinguishing beacons used by the store chain, brand, or the app),major and minor pairs (specifying a group of beacons and specifying anindividual beacon, respectively), and distance value (a signal strength)to a beacon in the store or location. Offers or incentives may beprovided along with navigation notifications. Multi-layeredauthenticated transactions includes using the proximity of thecustomer's portable computer device to the desired item for purchasewhile at the point of sale as determined by proximity to a beacon.Additional layers of authentication are provided by user input such asgesture, user entry, fingerprint, voice input, photographic input, videoinput, or other sensor based input collected from peripherals of thecustomer's portable computer device.

Additional embodiments may include a fraud analysis system that includessending information to a fraud analysis system that includes proximityinformation (such as the last received signal strength of the nearestbeacon) and the UUID of that beacon to the fraud analysis system. Afraud approval signal must be received before the item may be purchasedas an additional layer of authentication based on the sent informationregarding the nearest beacon location and the nearest beacon UUID.

A technical advantage of the subject technology is to provide customerwith secure transactions in a store setting. An additional advantageincludes assisting customers with secure transactions by using thecustomer's physical location as a layer of authentication. Usage of thephysical location of the customer (by virtue of the physical location ofthe customer's portable computer system as determined by beacons) allowsa multi-layer authentication without requiring customer input for alllayers of authentication. Still yet another advantage of the subjecttechnology is the provision of a system and method using beacons usingBluetooth Low Energy and geofencing (a virtual perimeter or threshold)to provide micro-location awareness.

Embodiments of the invention consist of a system whereby a cardholdingcustomer with a portable consumer device can receive beaconnotifications from a store establishment based upon a proximity-basedBluetooth Low Energy beacon at an event, in a store or another location.The receiving device may detect the proximity ranges of far, near, andimmediate associated with a UUID, Major and minor pairs, distance valuesto determine incentives, offers and rewards for customers within theestablishment. The system may allow customers to gain information,navigation and offers for items of interest in the store and initiatedigital transactions from the device for items once the items are withinreach on the shelf (i.e., within an immediate zone). The customer'sdevice is identified as having moved within an immediate zone of thebeacon by virtue of the signal strength (distance value) of the beaconnearest the item selected for purchase, which enables the digitaltransaction to be completed. Authorization of the payment may then becompleted with a display of a button on the customer's portable computerdevice that triggers a fingerprint scan and/or other user verificationinput to identify the authorized customer with the payment account.

Referring now to FIG. 1 with reference to FIG. 2, at block B100, asignal is received via the input output circuit from electronicbeacon(s). In one embodiment, the electronic beacons maybe beaconemitting devices, such as a beacon emitting device 208. The signal maybe initially received when a customer enters or approaches a store(e.g., 206), such as illustrations shown in FIG. 2 (with reference tokeys shown in FIG. 9). In the illustration in FIG. 2, the beaconemitting device 208 is not a specific item; it is near the specificitem. The portable computer device may be required to be a device thatis authorized by the store or event as an authorized portable consumerdevice (i.e., receiving device, client device, smart phone, portablecomputer system). The store or event may provide portable computerdevices to consumers for use while in the store or at the event and maybe provided at an entrance for customers to conveniently pick-up for useimmediately upon entry. The customer may need to activate, download orturn on an application or “app” before coming within proximity of one ofthe beacons in order to being use of the subject technology (e.g., FIG.2). If the customer is already in the store at the time the app isturned on, the initial signal may be initially received.

At block B110, the processor of the portable computer system or portablecomputer device (e.g., 204) analyzes a relative strength of the signalreceived from the electronic beacon to determine distance. Additionalinformation or message content may be received in the signal far, near,and immediate are determined based on UUID, major and minor pairs.Exemplary ranges that may be associated with far, near, and immediateranges may be thirty meters, two meters, and one half meters. Otherranges may be implemented without departing from the scope of thesubject technology. If the customer is outside the range of the farzone, and the customer has enabled his application, the customer mayreceive a message stating the proximity to the nearest store or even isunknown. At block B120, in response to the signal strength beingdetermined by the processor to be over a first threshold, the portablecomputer system identifies the location of the portable computer systemas being within a far range of the beacon. At block B130, a welcomemessage is displayed on a display screen of the portable computersystem. Initial welcome messages may include an identification of thestore number, address, contact information, offers or other information.

At block B140, in response to the signal strength being determined bythe processor to be over a second threshold, the processor identifiesthat the portable computer system's location has moved within a nearzone of the beacon. In one non-limiting example, the near zone mayconsist of a geofence (i.e., virtual perimeter or threshold) of twometers. Within this zone the user may be presented with an offer,purchase incentive, or other information regarding products in the nearvicinity. The notification may indicate that the customer should comecloser to the item to purchase the product. At block B150, an offer isdisplayed on the display screen of the portable computer system. Oncethe customer has moved within the region that has been determined as theimmediate range, the customer may be invited to purchase the product. Atblock B160, in response to the signal strength being determined by theprocessor to be over a third threshold, the processor identifies thatthe portable computer system has moved within an immediate zone of thebeacon. At block B170, an option to complete a digital transaction isdisplayed on a display screen of the portable computer system based onthe proximity of location of the portable computer system to an item forpurchase.

At block B180, the portable computer system is enabled to complete thedigital transaction based on the proximity of the portable computersystem to an item for purchase by in communication with a server 202,such as a beacon server, a transaction approval server, or the like. Inone example, the server 202 is connected to the store 206, the beaconemitting device 208, the portable computer device 204, or the overallsystem illustrated in FIG. 2, 9 or 10A via a wired or wirelessconnection. The proximity of the customer's portable computer system tothe item for purchase serves as the first layer of authentication forthe digital transaction. The physical proximity of the device to theitem (as determined by proximity of the device to the nearest beacon)establishes a first verification that the customer is physically in thestore. This first layer of authentication serves a goal of the inventionof providing a seamless layer of authentication without requiringadditional user input from the customer.

At block B190, a first user verification input via the portable computersystem is received at, such as the server 202. The first userverification serves as the second layer of authentication for thedigital transaction. User verification may include a fingerprint scan onthe touch screen or other sensor of the customer's portable computersystem. Other first user verification inputs may include user nameentry, password entry, gesture recognition pattern entry, signature orother identification pattern. Still yet other first user verificationinputs may include iris scan, photographic input via a camera of theportable computer system, At B200, the first user verification input iscommunicated to a verification system via the input output circuit. AtB210, a verification signal is received in response to the first userverification input being approved by the verification system. Multipleuser inputs may be required. If any one of the initial user inputs doesnot provide a valid entry, the customer may be prompted to re-enter theuser input. If additional entries are not valid, a different type ofuser input may be required.

The user may receive a receipt or acknowledgment of a successfultransaction on the screen of the device, by email or by other form ofelectronic messaging. The customer may alternatively or additionally maybe provided with notification information including additionaldirections via beacon to a staff member of the merchant for confirmationof purchase, assistance with large merchandise, for printed copies ofreceipts or warranties or other documentations associated with thepurchase.

Additional steps may include completing the transaction via the portablecomputer device by communication of digital payment information to apayment or transaction approval system via the input-output circuit, andin response to the digital payment being approved by the payment ortransaction approval system, receiving confirmation of a successfultransaction, and displaying a transaction receipt on the portablecomputer device.

In one alternative embodiment, the transaction need not be conductedwhile the portable computer system is in the hand of the customer tocomplete the transaction. Alternatively, self-checkout kiosks may beprovided throughout the store. Once an item is identified by thecustomer through the self-checkout kiosk, the kiosk may detect atransmitted signal from the customer's portable computer systemtransmitting a signal (including at least a UUID), acting as a beacon.In this embodiment, the immediate proximity of the portable computersystem is verified as the initial layer of authenticity. Additional userinput may be input into the self-checkout kiosk via camera, microphone,or touch sensitive display screen and analyzed using facial gesturerecognition. Purchases may be confirmed by nodding, saying “yes” orentering information into the touch sensitive display screen, includingpasswords, user names, fingerprints, iris scans or other information.The customer may be guided through this process via prompts on a displayscreen of the self-checkout kiosk. Multiple user inputs may be required.If an initial user input does not provide a valid entry, the customermay be prompted to re-enter the user input. If additional entries arenot valid, a different type of user input may be requested.

In another embodiment, the portable computing device of the customer maycommunicate a low power signal, such as a beacon signal, and receiversin the store may evaluate the signal to determine if it is within one ormore thresholds. Depending on the signal strength, the customer may beclassified as being in a near, intermediate or far zone and relevantmessages may be displayed as previously described. Similarly, thereceivers may display messages and may be used to complete transactionsat the point of sale. Of course, various other arrangements of beaconsand portable computing devices are possible and are contemplated.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a sample computing environment physicallyconfigured to execute embodiments of the method. In this computingenvironment, the portable computer devices 101 may act as a receiver ora portable computer device, which receives signals from dedicatedhardware beacons and determine the signal strength of those signals.Beacons 180 a, 180 b, and 180 c may be dedicated hardware devices thatare capable of transmitting at least a UUID and major and minor pairs.Beacons may also be other portable computer devices 101. Proximatedistance of portable computer device 101 from to any one or more ofbeacons 180 may be determined by the received signal strength.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, payment transaction data may be received bythe system in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the portablecomputer devices 101 compliance with wireless personal area network,such as with near field communication (NFC) capability, may be used tocommunicate the payments transaction data to remote computing devices141. In yet additional embodiments, the payment transaction data may betyped in by a user, such as a user of a personal computer. As may beunderstood, the relevant transaction data may be entered manually or maybe communicated in an electronic fashion, such as through acommunication device 121 and using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, NFC, infrared, highfrequency communication systems or any other electronic communicationformat.

FIG. 5 may be a high level illustration of some of the elements in asample computing system that may be physically configured to execute thevarious embodiments of the method. The computing system may be adedicated computing device 141, a dedicated portable computer device101, an application on the computing device 141, an application on theportable computer device 101 or a combination of all of these. FIG. 5may be a high level illustration of a portable computer device 101communicating with a remote computing device 141 through a communicationdevice 121 but the application may be stored and accessed in a varietyof ways. In addition, the application may be obtained in a variety ofways such as from an app store, from a web site, from a store WiFisystem, etc. There may be various versions of the application to takeadvantage of the benefits of different computing devices, differentcomputing languages and different API platforms.

In one embodiment, a portable computer device 101 may be a device thatoperates using a portable power source 155 such as a battery (FIG. 6).Referring to FIG. 5, the portable computer device 101 may also have adisplay 102 which may or may not be a touch sensitive display. Morespecifically, the display 102 may have a capacitance sensor, forexample, that may be used to provide input data to the portable computerdevice 101. In other embodiments, an input pad 104 such as arrows,scroll wheels, keyboards, etc., may be used to provide inputs to theportable computer device 101. In addition, the portable computer device101 may have a microphone 106 which may accept and store verbal data, acamera 108 to accept images and a speaker 110 to communicate sounds.

The portable computer device 101 may be able to communicate with acomputing device 141 or a plurality of computing devices 141 that makeup a cloud of computing devices 111 through a communication device 121.The portable computer device 101 may be able to communicate in a varietyof ways. In some embodiments, the communication may be wired such asthrough an Ethernet cable, a USB cable or RJ6 cable. In otherembodiments, the communication may be wireless such as through Wi-Fi(802.11 standard), Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, cellularcommunication or near field communication devices. The communication maybe direct to the computing device 141 or may be through a communicationdevice or network of devices 121 such as cellular service, through theInternet, through a private network, through Bluetooth, through nearfield communications, etc. FIG. 6 may be a simplified illustration ofthe physical elements that make up a portable computer device 101 andFIG. 7 may be a simplified illustration of the physical elements thatmake up a server type computing device 141.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sample portable computer device 101 may bephysically configured according to a method to be part of the system.Non-limiting examples of portable computer devices include portablecomputer systems including physically separate peripheral devices,mobile devices, client devices, smartphones, tablet computer, PDA, videogame console, or any other device having a processor, memory, andcommunications capabilities. FIG. 6 may also be representative of abeacon device, as a portable computer device may also function as abeacon. The portable computer device 101 may have a processor 150 thatis physically configured according to computer executable instructions.It may have a portable power supply 155 such as a battery which may berechargeable. It may also have a sound and video module 160 whichassists in displaying video and sound and may turn off when not in useto conserve power and battery life. The portable computer device 101 mayalso have volatile memory 165 and non-volatile memory 170. There alsomay be an input/output bus 175 that shuttles data to and from thevarious user input devices such as the microphone 106, the camera 108and other inputs 102, etc. It also may control of communicating with thenetworks, either through wireless or wired devices. Of course, this isjust one embodiment of the portable computer device 101 and the numberand types of portable computer devices 101 is limited only by theimagination. The portable computer device 101 may act as the display 102or may be a part of the display 102.

The physical elements that make up the remote computing device 141, suchas the payment or transaction approval system, may be implemented as aserver, such as a beacon server, a transaction approval server or thelike and is further illustrated in FIG. 7. At a high level, thecomputing device 141 may include a digital storage such as a magneticdisk, an optical disk, flash storage, non-volatile storage, etc.Structured data may be stored in the digital storage such as in adatabase. The server 141 may have a processor 30 that is physicallyconfigured according to computer executable instructions. It may alsohave a sound and video module 305 which assists in displaying video andsound and may turn off when not in use to conserve power and batterylife. The server 141 may also have volatile memory 310 and non-volatilememory 315.

The database 325 may be stored in the memory 310 or 315 or may beseparate. The database 325 may also be part of a cloud of computingdevice 141 and may be stored in a distributed manner across a pluralityof computing devices 141. There also may be an input/output bus 320 thatshuttles data to and from the various user input devices such as themicrophone 106, the camera 108, the inputs 102, etc. The input/outputbus 320 also may control of communicating with the networks, eitherthrough wireless or wired devices. In some embodiments, the applicationmay be on the local computing device 101 and in other embodiments, theapplication may be remote 141. Of course, this is just one embodiment ofthe server 141 and the number and types of computing devices 141 islimited only by the imagination.

In further referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchartillustrating another method from a perspective of a system, such ascomputing device or server 141, in accordance with the subjecttechnology according to one embodiment of the invention. For example,the server 141 may be part of a system for configuring a multi-layeredverification system for completing a transaction. The system includesone or more beacon emitting device (as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 as 180a, 180 b, or 180 c) for transmitting beacons on a time interval. Thebeacons include contents with varying messages as a function of signalstrengths of the beacons.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a customer enters a store, a location, anevent, or a defined space at 302. In one embodiment, a customer may scanan item at shelf-checkout or payment kiosk at 304 in response to an itemidentified by the customer to conduct a digital transaction. In thisembodiment, a point-of-sale (POS) device serving as a beacon may scanfor a portable consumer device or a portable computer device at 306.With signal strengths of beacons from the beacon emitting devicesindicating zones in the defined space covered by the beacons, such asUUID. In the system in this embodiment, the beacon emitting device orwith the UUID transmitted to the server 141, the UUID may be comparedwith customer data at 308. If the comparison is negative, the system 141or, alternatively, the beacon emitting device will return to 306 forother portable computer device. On the other hand, if the comparison isaffirmative, the system 141 may proceed to identify relevant or relatedrewards or incentives in response to the determination (see descriptionbelow for further details).

Still referring to FIG. 3, at 312, the POS device receives proximityrange information in communication with the portable computer device andif the portable computer device is in range at 314, depending on therange information, the POS device may send contents or messages as afunction of the signal strength at 316. In one example, the portablecomputer device includes an input/output circuit for sensing the beaconsto identify the signal strengths thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 6, theportable computer device may include a device processor and aninterface. A camera or other imaging device connected to the POS devicemay be activated to detect user's movement, such as nodding of heads orother body movements, as a gesture recognition at 318. The system nextmay perform a series of verification, such as at 320 whether thecustomer confirm nodding (implicitly meaning “YES” for a gesturerecognition example) or, as illustrated above, iris scanner may be usedat 322 and 324. Once the series of verifications are confirmed, at 326,the price and item is displayed or provided on a display connected withthe POS or on the portable computer device. In another embodiment, oneadditional verification may be used, such as the user's fingerprint at328 and 330. Once that verification is confirmed, the server may proceedto complete the digital transaction by treating the above verificationsas authorizations to complete the transaction at 332. At 334, a receiptor acknowledge receipt may be provided to the user via a printed copy atthe POS (via a printer connected to POS) or an electronic copy via emailaddress.

In accordance with further embodiments, by using wireless personal areanetwork technology (such as beacon technology like Bluetooth LowEnergy), the subject technology provides navigation through a store inorder for a customer to locate offers and conduct transactions tocardholding customers with a portable computing device (such as asmartphone). The navigation may consist of proximity notificationsletting the consumer know that he is within a far, near, and immediaterange that is ultimate associated with a universally unique identifier(UUID) (identifier distinguishing beacons used by the store chain,brand, or the app), major and minor pairs (specifying a group of beaconsand specifying an individual beacon, respectively), and distance value(a signal strength) to a beacon in the store or location. Offers orincentives may be provided along with the navigation notifications.

One technical advantage provides customer assistance in locatingproducts and special offers on the shelf within the store setting.Additional advantages include assisting customers in locating additionalitems of interest within the store based on items of interest, orproviding navigation through the store based on shopping interest.Another technical advantage is to enable the consumer to announce his orher presence to the store and preferred social community using his orher smartphone device as a beacon once within a specific proximity usingthe same social and consumer networks that are associated with theconsumer's cardholder's account. Still yet another technical advantageof the subject technology is to provide a system and method of indoornavigation that is seamlessly integrated with offer based transactions.Another benefit of the invention is providing location assistance to thecustomer without requiring the broadcast of customer locationinformation. Yet another technical advantage of the subject technologyis providing turn by turn navigation to customers to aid customers inlocating products and offers based on the current location of thecustomer within the store. Further technical advantages are inventorymanagement, loss prevention and optimization of traffic patternsthroughout stores and events.

Aspects of the invention consist of a system whereby a cardholdingcustomer with a portable consumer device can receive beaconnotifications from a store establishment based upon a proximity-basedBluetooth Low Energy beacon in a store or location. The receiving devicewill detect the proximity ranges of far, near, and immediate associatedwith a universally unique identifier (UUID), major and minor pairs,distance values to determine incentives, offers and rewards forcustomers within the establishment. Exemplary ranges that may beassociated with far, near, and immediate ranges may be thirty meters,two meters, and one half meters. Other ranges may be implemented withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject technology. While the customer'sportable computing device may act only as a receiver, allowing nocustomer location information to be transmitted, alternative embodimentsprovide a system that also allow the customer to act as a beacon toannounce their presence by sending out signal with a UUID to a beaconreceiver located within the store to determine proximity using BluetoothLow Energy. The system will allow customers to gain guidance to items ofinterest in the store and initiate digital transactions from the devicefor items within an immediate range and authorize the payment with abutton that triggers a fingerprint scan to identify the authorizedcustomer with the payment account.

Referring to FIG. 8, at block B800, a location of a portable computingdevice is identified within a boundary of electronic beacons using aprocessor to determine signal strength of the electronic beacons. Theportable computing device may be required to be a device that isauthorized by the store or event as an authorized portable consumerdevice. The store or event may provide portable computing devices toconsumers for use while in the store or at the event. For example, FIG.9 illustrates a store example showing an entry of the store showingcapabilities of embodiments of the invention. The customer may need toactivate, download or turn on an application or “app” before comingwithin proximity of one of the beacons (i.e., waypoints). For example,FIG. 9 illustrates one or more waypoints along different locations orpositions in the store.

At block B810, the input output circuit displays one or more offerswherein the offers are related to the location of the portable computingdevice to the plurality of beacons. As the input output circuit of thereceiving device (i.e., portable computing device) detects beacons,proximity ranges of far, near, and immediate are determined based onUUID, major and minor pairs and distance values. Offers, incentives andrewards may be paired with the proximity ranges and displayed on theportable computing device of the customer. At block B820, a destinationis selected via the input output circuit, wherein the destination isassociated with one or more offers. At block B830, the input outputcircuit displays directions on the display of the portable computingsystem associated with major and minor pair values corresponding to anearest electronic beacon. For example, according to FIG. 9, suppose aconsumer (designed by a triangle symbol in FIG. 9) wishes to purchaseitem A. According to an embodiment of the invention, the input outputcircuit displays a direction to the item A based on the consumer'slocation or position.

At block B840, in one embodiment, the directions are updated based onthe nearest electronic beacon as the nearest electronic beacon changes.Directions may include turn by turn navigation (e.g., indoor route/pathshown in FIG. 9) based on landmarks in the store, approximate distancesor may be provided by icons on the screen or sound indicators that letthe customer know approximately when to turn, see also FIG. 9. At blockB850, in response to the nearest beacon for the selected destinationbeing the nearest electronic beacon to the portable computing device(i.e., the customer has reached immediate proximity of the beaconnearest the destination), an opportunity to purchase the item via theportable computing device is provided on the display.

Additional steps may include completing the transaction via the portablecomputing device by communication of digital payment information to apayment approval system via the input-output circuit, such as a kiosk oran exit checkout point, and in response to the digital payment beingapproved by the payment approval system, receiving confirmation of asuccessful transaction, and displaying a transaction receipt on theportable computing device.

In another embodiment, the portable computing device of the customer maycommunicate a low power signal, such as a beacon signal, and receiversin the store may evaluate the signal to determine if it is within one ormore thresholds. Depending on the signal strength, the customer may beclassified as being in a near, intermediate or far zone and relevantmessages may be displayed as previously described. Similarly, thereceivers may display messages and may be used to complete transactionsat the point of sale. Of course, various other arrangements of beaconsand portable computing devices are possible and are contemplated.

FIG. 10A (with reference to symbols illustrated in FIG. 9) is anillustration of an exemplary system using major and minor pairs to guidecustomers to digital payment transactions and event check-ins inaccordance with an embodiment of the subject technology. Similar to FIG.2, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10A, the customer mayapproach a store with the app running. Far proximity may beapproximately thirty or less of meters of a beacon. Once approachingthis threshold, the customer may receive a welcome message sent from thebeacon transmitter. This geofence (i.e., virtual perimeter or threshold)may coincide with the threshold of the store or may include the areagenerally in front of a store or parking area. Once inside the store,the customer may enter the range of other beacons transmitting salesinformation and other associated offers related to a specific item. Inthis illustration, the beacon emitting device (e.g., 208) may be on thespecific item or in a very close proximity to the specific item. Thecustomer may then receive directional information from the beacons. Oncewithin immediate proximity which may be a threshold of approximately twotenths of a meter of the beacon nearest the specific item, the customermay then be offered an opportunity to purchase the item. The customermay then complete the transaction using the customer's portablecomputing device. The transaction may include a combination ofperipheral devices such as a touch screen, fingerprint scanner, camera,scanner, microphone, or combination of inputs. The customer will receiveconfirmation of the transaction at the point of sale by receipt, email,text, or other electronic means. The merchant may require additionalverification of the transaction as the customer exits the store with themerchandise.

FIGS. 10B-10H are illustrations of a sample graphical user interface ofthe subject technology in accordance with an embodiment of the subjecttechnology. As shown in FIG. 10G, digital payment transactions mayinclude a fingerprint-authentication requirement in order to completethe payment transaction. Offers shown on the graphical user interfacesof FIGS. 10B-10H can be used to direct the user specifically and mayinclude further directions such as “turn left next to the greensweaters” or “straight ahead past aisle four.” Embodiments arecontemplated in which the customer may be able to select audio baseddirection or simple intuitive graphical signals such as directionalarrows and signs or even animation or video based directions withgraphical overlays. By providing a point of sale system at the shelf,loss prevention can be reduced.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary system capable of sending acheck-in notification in accordance with an embodiment of the subjecttechnology. In some embodiments of the subject technology, the portablecomputing device may additionally act as a transmitter, that is, theportable computing device of the customer may also act as a beaconitself. It may transmit a signal with data including a UUID to a beaconreceiver located within the store to determine the proximity of theportable computing device (and therefore, the customer). Once thecustomer has checked-in at the store or event location, the customer maythen be able to receive additional information related to the store orevent through the application software at future times or when thecustomer is not physically present in the store.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes andjurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are consideredto represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it shouldbe noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than asspecifically illustrated and described without departing from its spiritor scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for configuring a multi-layeredverification system for completing a transaction, said systemcomprising: a beacon emitting device for transmitting a wireless signalon a time interval, said wireless signal including contents with varyingmessages as a function of signal strength of the wireless signal, saidsignal strength indicating zones in a defined space covered by thewireless signal, wherein the zones include at least a first zonecorresponding to a first threshold of the signal strength, a second zonecorresponding to a second threshold of the signal strength, and a thirdzone corresponding to a third threshold of the signal strength, thesecond zone being between the first zone and the third zone, the thirdzone facilitating a portable computer device to complete thetransaction; wherein the portable computer device comprising aninput/output circuit for sensing the wireless signal to identify thesignal strength thereof; wherein the portable computer device comprisesa device processor and an interface; wherein the device processor isconfigured to determine the signal strength in the sensed wirelesssignal being over the second threshold; in response to the determinationbeing positive, wherein the device processor of the portable computerdevice is configured to provide via the interface a first of the varyingmessages corresponding to the second threshold in the sensed wirelesssignal; in response to providing the first of the varying messages,wherein a data processor of the portable computer device, after sensingthe wireless signal, is configured to determine the signal strength tobe over the third threshold; in response to the determination of thesignal strength over the third threshold being positive, wherein thedevice processor of the portable computer device is configured toprovide via the interface a second of the varying messages correspondingto the third threshold; wherein the beacon emitting device receives areceipt from the portable computer device for receiving the second ofthe varying messages; a transaction approval server, being configured tocommunicate with the beacon emitting device, is configured to verifydigital transactions in response to receiving the receipt, wherein thetransaction approval server is configured to identify the receipt as afirst layer in verification; wherein the portable computer devicereceives an instruction from a user via the interface to complete one ofthe digital transactions of an item, wherein the transaction approvalserver, in response to receiving the instruction relayed from theportable computer device, is configured to identify the instruction as asecond layer in the verification; in response to the identifiedinstruction, wherein the transaction approval server is configured toapprove the second layer in the verification; and wherein thetransaction approval server is configured to transmit an acknowledgementreceipt to the portable computer device for the one of the digitaltransactions of the item.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprisingin response to identifying the signal strength being over the firstthreshold, the portable computer device is configured to display one ormore of the following information identifying the defined space, whereinthe defined space comprises a physical store: a welcome message, anaddress of the defined space, and contact information.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the portable computer device is configured to receivenavigation information to sense wireless signals with the signalstrength for the third threshold in response to the provided first ofthe varying messages.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the input/outputcircuit or the beacon emitting device comprises a circuit in compliancewith a wireless personal area network technology.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the first of the varying messages comprises an offer topurchase the item.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second of thevarying messages comprises an invitation to complete the one of thedigital transactions of the item.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thetransaction approval server is configured to transmit theacknowledgement receipt to the beacon emitting device, and the beaconemitting device transmits the acknowledgement receipt to the portablecomputer device for the one of the digital transactions of the item. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computer device is furtherconfigured to connect with the transaction approval server in responseto receiving the instructions from the user via the interface tocomplete the one of the digital transactions.
 9. A system for completingdigital transactions with a beacon-assisted navigation, said systemcomprising: a beacon emitting device for transmitting a wireless signalon a time interval, said wireless signal including contents with varyingmessages as a function of signal strength of the wireless signal, saidsignal strength indicating zones in a defined space covered by thewireless signal; a portable computer device comprising an input/outputcircuit for sensing the wireless signal to identify the signal strengththereof; wherein the portable computer device comprises a deviceprocessor and an interface; wherein the device processor is configuredto identify items of interests for a user; wherein the device processoris configured to determine the signal strength in the sensed wirelesssignal being over a second threshold and a first threshold; in responseto the determination being positive, the device processor is configuredto identify the varying messages corresponding to the second thresholdin the sensed wireless signal; wherein the device processor isconfigured to analyze the identified items of interests and theidentified varying messages; wherein the device processor is configuredto provide a first of the varying messages via the interface, said firstof the varying messages comprising an offer to purchase an item; inresponse to providing the first of the varying messages, wherein theportable computer device, after sensing the wireless signal, isconfigured to determine the signal to be over a third threshold; whereinthe device processor is configured to provide via the interface a secondof the varying messages corresponding to the third threshold; atransaction approval server, being configured to communicate with thebeacon emitting device, receives a receipt from the beacon emittingdevice; in response to providing the second of the varying messages,wherein the portable computer device receives an instruction from a uservia the interface to complete one of the digital transactions of theitem; wherein the transaction approval server is configured to approvethe one of the digital transactions after receiving the instruction fromthe user; and wherein the transaction approval server, being configuredto communicate with the portable computer device, is configured totransmit an acknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device forthe one of the digital transactions of the item.
 10. The system of claim9, further comprising in response to identifying the signal strengthbeing over the first threshold, the portable computer device isconfigured to display one or more of the following informationidentifying the defined space, wherein the defined space comprises aphysical store: a welcome message, an address of the defined space, andcontact information.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the portablecomputer device is configured to receive navigation information to sensewireless signals with the signal strength for the third threshold inresponse to the provided first of the varying messages.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein the input/output circuit or the beacon emittingdevice comprises a circuit in compliance with a wireless personal areanetwork technology.
 13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a dataprocessor of the central unit being configured to transmit theacknowledgement receipt to the beacon emitting device, and the beaconemitting device transmits the acknowledgement receipt to the portablecomputer device for the one of the digital transactions of the item. 14.The system of claim 9, wherein the portable computer device is furtherconfigured to connect with a transaction approval system in response toreceiving the instructions from the user.
 15. A system for configuring amulti-layered verification system for completing a transaction, saidsystem comprising: a beacon emitting device for transmitting a wirelesssignal on a time interval, said wireless signal including contents withvarying messages as a function of signal strength of the wirelesssignal, the signal strength indicating zones in a defined space coveredby the wireless signal; a portable computer device is configured forsensing the wireless signal to identify the signal strength thereof,said portable computer device comprising a mobile device; wherein theportable computer device is configured to identify items of interestsfor a user; wherein the portable computer device is configured todetermine the signal strength in the sensed wireless signal being over asecond threshold and a first threshold; in response to the determinationbeing positive, the portable computer device is configured to identifythe varying messages corresponding to the second threshold in the sensedwireless signal; wherein the portable computer device is configured toreceive a relevant rewards or incentives after an item is compared withthe identified varying messages; in response to providing the first ofthe varying messages, wherein the portable computer device, aftersensing the wireless signal, is configured to determine the signalstrength to be over a third threshold; in response to the determinationof the signal strength over the third threshold being positive, whereinthe portable computer device is configured to provide a second of thevarying messages corresponding to the third threshold, wherein thesecond of the varying messages comprises an invitation to complete oneof the digital transactions of the item; wherein the beacon emittingdevice receives a receipt from the portable computer device forreceiving the second of the varying messages; a transaction approvalserver, being configured to communicate with the beacon emitting device,is configured to verify digital transactions in response to receivingthe receipt, wherein the transaction approval server is configured toidentify the receipt as a first layer in the verification; wherein theportable computer device is configured to receive an instruction from auser to complete one of the digital transactions of the item, whereinthe transaction approval server, in response to receiving theinstruction relayed from the portable computer device, is configured toidentify the instruction as a second layer in the verification; inresponse to the identified instruction, wherein the transaction approvalserver is configured to approve the second layer in the verification;and wherein the transaction approval server is configured to transmit anacknowledgement receipt to the portable computer device for the digitaltransaction of the item.
 16. The system of claim 15, further in responseto identifying the signal strength being over the first threshold, theportable computer device is configured to display one or more of thefollowing information identifying the defined space, wherein the definedspace comprises a physical store: a welcome message, an address of thedefined space, and contact information.
 17. The system of claim 15,wherein the portable computer device is configured to receive navigationinstructions to sense wireless signals with the signal strength for thethird threshold in response to the provided first of the varyingmessages.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the input/output circuitor the beacon emitting device comprises a circuit in compliance with awireless personal area network technology.
 19. The system of claim 15,wherein the portable computer device is configured to identify the itemsof interests from one or more of the following sources: a social networkaccount of the user, a memory of the portable computer device, and anaccount of the user stored externally from the portable computer device.20. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable computer device isfurther configured to connect with the transaction approval server inresponse to receiving the instruction from the user to complete the oneof the digital transactions.